Business as Usual

I first would like to apologize for neglecting (again) posting here. I have no real reason, but some of my excuses include VBS at our church, an upcoming family wedding for which I am doing the cake, and just plain old business.

OK. I realized that most places of business have hours. This is nice so you can know when to expect someone to answer the phone, when you can stop by, etc.

I have no such hours.

However, I thought I would let you know when you would be most likely to get a hold of me, and when you would definitely not. That being said, I do always check my messages, and try to return calls within 3-4 days at the most.

I do as much as I can to not work on Sundays. Yes, we can debate the actual 7th day of the week, the day of rest, blah, blah, blah. However, Sundays we go to church as a family, and it is the one day I count on my husband not being at work for any length of time. I started working when I was 17. From the beginning, I have not worked Sundays. I know I have missed out on employment because of this. I do not mind. I believe that my decision has been honored and I have been blessed for it.

So, enough of that.

My children usually nap (ha.ha.) around 1-3, so it is easier for me to answer my phone, then, or to return calls during that time.

I try very hard not to call people after 9pm, so there is a good chance I will not answer the phone after that hour.

I do not guard regularly at the pool, so I cannot give you a time you can find me there, unless it is during the hours of lessons.

I hope this has helped a little bit. I will try to get a page done on 'business hours' and have it posted to the right so you can easily find in the future. But for now....

Instructors

We have a staff for the May lessons! I am confident in them, and excited about what they will be able to do.

Since I am running the show, and therefore responsible for all that happens, I will not be teaching. I will be walking around, checking in on the classes, and offering help when needed. I don't feel that I can adequately do both. I love teaching, but I also want as many children as possible to learn how to swim. This is the best way.

I have two lifeguards. C has taught lessons previously, but is more comfortable with the older children. Since we are lacking an advanced class in May, he will be guarding. S is the other lifeguard. He is wonderful with children, and will be a helper/guard. He will be mostly in the water, helping the instructors with the kids, and then hopefully gaining some experience to be able to start teaching in the June session.

I like that they are boys, since some children identify better with males. Especially since my 4 instructors are all girls!

C is training with me to teach, and I think she will be wonderful with the kids. The other C has teaching experience, and she very excited about the lessons. K has also taught for 4 years. B is on the swim team and she is also training with me to be a teacher. I think she will be very good as well.

I hope that my staff is happy with their job, and wants to come back and work with me again. I also hope that the kids like them, and that the parents are happy with the lessons.

What I Offer

I have been teaching lessons for many years. I have two children and am comfortable with kids in the water. For this reason, most of my lessons are with younger children, and sometimes with those scared of the water. I love these kinds of lessons because they have the most potential for growth.

It is incredibly rewarding to see the parents' faces as they watch their terrified child drop the death grip and enjoy being the water. Or leave the steps or put her face in the water. I love it.

Let me take this opportunity to tell you that I do not dunk unless the parent either approves or wants it done. My teachers WILL NOT DUNK!

I have also had children who love to "swim," but wouldn't be able to save himself. These survival skill lessons are fun, because here the child can see the progress & feels a boost of confidence. I still stress they should never swim alone, but in a worst case scenario, he will be able to save himself.

I do not have a lot of experience in teaching adults, but I do have some. I am all for it, I just have not yet built up that base yet.

I teach at the Benedict Inn and it is a great instructional pool. Warm waters, 3ft to 9ft and not as large as some pools, so the intimidation may not be as fierce.

I will usually go as young as 3, and not for as long as, say, a child of 8yrs. With children younger than 3 - it really depends. I have not yet done it, but I would suggest one lesson, with the parent, and show the parent techniques they can use to help the child. I would tell them what the little person should know before we have full-fledged lessons.

I have no problem admitting when I can no longer teach. Let me explain - if we have been going for 6 weeks and your child has plateaued, I will not continue to teach him, and will be honest and open with you. I will tell you that we should take a break, and maybe try again in a month or two. There is no good from wasting my time, plus your time & money.

Anyway, if you have any questions for me about private lessons, please feel free to leave a comment, but please include an e-mail or another way to get in touch with you about specific questions. I will answer general questions in a comment, or another post, if I get enough.

Where We Teach

We are currently planning on hosting swim lessons at the Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center in Beech Grove.

While private lessons will continue to be held there without a problem, we are searching for times when we can have the group lessons. This is why YOUR FEEDBACK is so IMPORTANT!

So let me tell you about the Benedict Inn pool. It is usually used as a therapy pool. There are aerobics & arthritis classes, open adult swim, lap swim only and family swim times.

The family swim times are only on Friday from 6-8pm, and Saturday afternoons from 2-4pm. It can be rented out for parties and swim teams, and even therapy sessions.

This is why it is so difficult to find a good time for out lessons. Over the summer, the YMCA program is held in the gym, and they swim 2 or 3 days each week, & there are two other groups that have the pool reserved with a semi-permanent time.

Anyway, even you do not sign-up for lessons, it is a great place for the family to swim together. Or if you are wanting a workout or need to just get out of the house, it is a wonderful environment.

The water is incredibly warm (thank you therapy!), and the people are very nice. If you are unsure about your swimming technique, try asking the guard - most are or were swimmers in high school, so they know what they are talking about.

Check it out. Maybe you can have a summer style party in the middle of winter!

Do you know of any pools in the area that may be open to hosting group swim lessons?

About your instructors

I have been teaching private swim lessons for many years, with wonderful results. Whether it be a beginner finally putting his face in the water, or the little girl who masters the freestyle, I love teaching swimming.

I feel very strongly about people, especially children, learning how to swim. Not only is it great exercise, but it is a skill that could possibly save a life.

Since this is a new "operation," I am really the only instructor, along with (sometimes) Deb. I guess Deb would be my mentor in this area, since she has TONS of experience, and I am just at the beginning.

Deb has taught and coached and run swim programs for decades. She has even coached a few Olympian swimmers - that is impressive!

With my desire to make this work, along with her extensive background, you can only expect the best from future instructors. We plan on training those who have no experience, and making sure those with previous experience are on the same level as we are.

In my next post I hope to have a few testimonials from those who have had lessons from Deb or myself, so you can see that I am on the level, and not making this all up in my head!